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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an RF Engineer I in Ohio is $87,170 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, an RF Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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RF Engineer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $96,880 | $8,073 | $1,863 | $47 |
| Average | $87,170 | $7,264 | $1,676 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,680 | $6,723 | $1,552 | $39 |
NuWaves RF Solutions - Athens, OH
Nu Waves Ltd. - Athens, OH
Secmation - Dayton, OH
American Airlines - FORT WORTH, TX
An RF Engineer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an RF Engineer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| RF Engineer I | 0-2 years | $87,168 |
| RF Engineer II | 2-4 years | $96,883 |
| RF Engineer III | 4-7 years | $117,582 |
| RF Engineer IV | 7+ years | $140,004 |
| RF Engineer V | 7-10 years | $172,968 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract RF Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
RF Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $98,362. While startup companies pay approximate $83,245.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $83,245 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $88,033 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $94,998 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $98,362 |
For RF Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, RF Engineer positions in Biotechnology or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view RF Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $113,321 | $54.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $108,962 | $52.0 | 25% |
| Business Services | $104,604 | $50.0 | 20% |
| Construction | $100,245 | $48.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $95,887 | $46.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an RF Engineer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $96,880 | $8,073 | $1,863 | $47 |
| Average | $87,170 | $7,264 | $1,676 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,680 | $6,723 | $1,552 | $39 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an RF Engineer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Signal Processing Engineer II | $96,900 | 11% |
| EE II | $96,700 | 11% |
| Electronics Design Engineer II | $96,900 | 11% |
| RF Engineer II | $96,890 | 11% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current RF Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Lane Enterprises Inc
BEALETON, VA
Distributed Spectrum
NEW YORK CITY, NY
Distributed Spectrum | NEW YORK CITY, NY
DS creates systems that power the next generation of radio spectrum intelligence. We collect radio data from all over the world, train neural networks to d... more
1 Day Ago
TagoreTech, Inc
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL
TagoreTech, Inc | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL
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Nusano
WEST VALLEY CITY, UT
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Northrop Grumman
MARYLAND, MD
Northrop Grumman | MARYLAND, MD
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Lynk, Inc.
CHANTILLY, VA
Lynk, Inc. | CHANTILLY, VA
About Elveo Elveo is what happens when two pioneers in direct-to-device (D2D) communications join forces. Elveo brings together a combined 20 years of expe... more
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